Audio from 1974: Earliest circulated recording of Eddie Van Halen playing guitar

January 29, 2010 81 Comments

This is the earliest know recording of Eddie Van Halen playing guitar. He is basically noodling and working out ideas. Recorded at home (in his parent’s house) in 1974, when he was only 19 years old! The genesis of “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” and other great ideas.

The guitar playing ends at 7:16, and then you can hear a short recording of David, Eddie and Michael hanging out in a hotel talking to one or more girls.

Filed Under: Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen

chris.omeara

I heard Aerosmith might be auditioning new singers. While the proposition is ridiculous to me, I wonder if Sammy Hagar, DLR or Gary Cherone will run into each other in the lobby while waiting for their interviews?
chris.omeara

Just kidding- Steven Tyler is unreplaceable in Aerosmith, it would NEVER be the same- Just like DLR in Van Halen…
Nat

Steven Tyler could never be replaced, mainly because he’s been the frontman for so long now. If they’d done it 25 years ago, it would have created a rift like Sammy vs Dave, but it might have worked. It would be like replacing Mick Jagger now though.

It’s interesting that this “new” music got such positive feedback here. Hopefully someone that’s in some way connected to the band and can actually make suggestions might consider telling Eddie that he’s still got fans waiting for new music, as long as it kicks ass and isn’t some self-indulgent crap like a lot of what was on VH III.

If he really wants to release some more experimental stuff, do a double album with one kick-ass disc and the other whatever he wants to put on it. Better yet, sell them separately and see which one people actually buy.
FAMAC

Interesting how its all rythym playing!
http://none Dirty Duck

Aerosmith was the “coolest” in the early to late 70′s.
The 80′s were kind to them….but to a point.
90′s they had their comeback, and at 19, songs like “Livin’ on the edge” and “Cryin” (who DIDNT like alicia silverstone back then? Mmmmm!) were cool but havent aged too well.
Groups are at their best when they are starving and just starting out. Not saying that bands dont get better with age, but personally all my favourite rock and roll hero’s were at their best and most creative when they were young, wild, and on drugs. Besides being one hell of a run on sentence, the truth is the truth. Aerosmith, The Stones, Deep Purple, Metallica, Guns and Roses, ACDC, ETC were stellar in the earlier years. Look at VH. You can be the biggest vanhagar fan in the world, but those first albums are monumental achievements and out of this world playing. As VH albums progressed they became less rock and roll and more pop and roll. Blame sammy, the band, or maybe the fact that their biggest selling #1′s were ballads, eiether way times changed, the band changed, and I stopped listening.
Aerosmith and the stones also became a shadow of their former selves as the years went on. I guess anytime you truly love a group there will be some dissapointments along the way.
I mean just the other day some character named:halenhagar called ME out for not being a fan of VH, just being a fan of david lee roth. Let’s think about that assinine statement shall we. Since I love VH with dave I’m NOT a fan of VH. O….k. Well, if you’re nothing but a hagar fan with VH doesnt that also mean you’re hagar fan? Why waste so much time thinking about such dribble? Because people like:halenhagar obviously NOT a fan of the classic era because he feels the songs are OLD. Some fan huh? Old? Moron. It’s called “ageless rock” my man. Classic VH was a staple of rock history and halenhagar says it’s old. Some fans really make me laugh. Calling the duck out for not being a fan of VH. Even though i’ve been a fan since the beginning. Funny coming from someone who gets into a band “8″ years after it began…..

Smells like a poser to me.
bobalu

Thanks Little Big Toe
SCAR

Right the fuck on, Duck!!! It really doesn’t matter what singer you like best, to me, they all fucking rock!!! BUT, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE CLASSIC VAN HALEN!!!! Give us a break halenhager, the majority of us on this site were VH fans since the beginning in the 70′s (ah yeah, the Whisky a Go Go days)!!! Shit, classic VH was the sound track to our teen years!!! Classic VH will NEVER get old, it will still be here long after we are all dead and gone from this trippy ass world!!! Now, THAT is “Ageless Rock”!!! Pay attention and take notes halenhager maybe someday you will get a clue!!!!
Karl

This is just stunning to hear this stuff. While Edward was noodling away here could he possibly have imagined what he was going to do to rock music? Could he possible have imagined that he was going to make a record that would make a million guitarist’s jaws hit the floor as soon as the needle hit the first groove? It’s fascinating to speculate what his impression of himself might have been.
Panama Red

Dirty Duck – I know what you mean about the way bands sound when they are just starting out. Hungry, rebellious, not yet affected by money and fame. But also I’ve seen bands get better with age like you mentioned as well.
You know I’m a huge fan of both eras. As well as being a fan of a lot of Sammy’s solo stuff and quite a bit of Dave’s solo stuff. I LOVE Sammy with Van Halen but there is a certain quality in those early VH albums with Roth that I really liked that aren’t really in the later albums.
Ya know, the little bit darker, dirtier, heavier stuff. And Eddie’s sound was more raw and heavy.
The “Balance” album started getting back to the heavier darker sound that I really liked. Anyway I’m babbling but Duck, I’m not nearly as big of an Aerosmith fan as you are. I like a few of their songs. Not love, but like……but hear is an interesting little tidbit of info you may or may not have heard. I read an interview with Eddie awhile back where he said (before Van Halen was well-known and famous) he walked up to Joe Perry after an Aerosmith concert and was trying to talk to Joe saying he was a big fan, inspired by him, etc. And Joe just like said “What….who are you? Piss Off!” What an effing arrogant Prick! And then Eddie becomes 10x the guitarist Joe was IMO
chris.omeara

To me Aerosmith was the first 5 albums plus Live Bootleg. The rest of the comeback stuff was overproduced MTV crud, but at least they had their original singer…
Matt from Australia

How does a great story about uncovered rare EVH recordings turn into a discussion about Aerosmith??!!!
Phil

THAT………was cool. Heard me some Outta Love Again in there too, I think. That bit at the end with them faced in a hotel room with wimmins was classic. So very cool. Can you find anymore stuff like this?
VHIII_1998_

When VH releases a new album, people will have new found respect for Wolf.
Rick Pride

I agree with VHIII_1998. I’m sure Wolfie will sound amazing. He is a Can Halen you know. I mean Mike is awesome but he’s with Chickenfoot now and he’s happy so let’s look to the Future!
Jim

Everybody should respect Wolfie?

He is the next Eddie Van Halen. It’s yet to be seen but could be a new and improved Eddie as well in every way. No disrespect to Ed of course.
He will also carry on the Van Halen name for the rest of our lifetime.
http://none Dirty Duck

“Outta love again” is one of the baddest tunes from VH….
Tony

I’ll always miss Mike Anthony but the fact remains he’s moved on to better things. I’m saying, better for his situation because he’s with a band that’s in it cause they love the music and they all have respect for eachother. Mike never got any respect from Ed. That’s just the facts. But look at the songs they released without any of Mike Anthony’s involvement. Like almost the whole “VH3″ album and the 3 new songs on “Best of Both Worlds”… far from Van Halens greatest work. It’s evident that Mike has contributed a great deal to Van Halen’s success. Wolfie carried the bass lines fine at their last concert, well I can go see a Van Halen cover band do the same thing for like $15… if Wolfie wants to carry the torch and move out of his father’s shadow, then he’s got to prove himself.

I don’t care about his last name or who his daddy is. He’s gotta earn his stripes. Just like Eddie did back in the day, playing gigs at the Whiskey a go-go and having his demo tapes thrown back in his face until he finally made it.

…Let’s see what you’ve got kid.
SCAR

Damn straight duck, “out of love again” is fucking out of sight and The Diamond one’s vocals are superb on that song!!!
http://vhnd.com surfthis!!

wolfang is not the next eddie van halen
stop smoking the eddie chips
and put down the EVH pipe

you are very very interested in only pleasing EVH if you actually mean that

avg. bass player if that…
no stage presence what so ever

and he stole his spot in the band

he did save his father and the band however so in the end
i think very highly of the cat

cool kid.
did not earn the fame however and will dog him for sure.

ed should just chill with this wolfgang stuff
enough already
second coming of blah blah blah..
Rich

One hopes that Wolf will carry on the Van Halen name, but what will he do that his father already can’t? And will he just be a clone in his guitar playing skills?

I watched a full live bootleg of Van Halen on the III tour with Gary in Madison Square Garden (22/05/98) and have to say, it was a really good mix of tunes and Gary did a great job with the older Roth stuff. You could hear that the fans loved the fact they ripped up Mean Street, Romeo Delight, and even I’m The One. Just a shame that Eddie’s stage behaviour with Mikey was so different to how he actually felt about him. I really do like III as an album, but its my subjective view. The first album I got of Van Halen’s was VH1, followed by 5150…two amazing debuts and still to this day can’t really decide who I prefer out of Sammy or Dave – I wasn’t around to see either make it big or quit – its all just history to me. But the MUSIC lives on and I’m glad I have 11 great albums to go back to every now and then.
Canes_fan5150

Well said rich. My first VH album was the best of vol. 1. I was like 10 years old and didn’t notice the singer switch after track 8 for 2 or 3 years and They were already my favorite band by that time. I love both versions of the band.
http://none Dirty Duck

I think its hilarious reading posts from some who have never even picked up an instrument!

Bashing wolf?

Bash away…. but what many of you fools wouldnt give to be able to stand on stage and perform classic VH songs.
I think wolf did a good job for a SIXTEEN YEAR OLD KID (at that time)who’s first gig was playing in front of 1000′s of people. Was he mike anthony? No he was wolfgang VH. Give the kid a break.
http://none Dirty Duck

Tony:

I’m curious…..WHAT EXACTLY do you miss so much about mike?
Everytime I read a post someone always has to write about how much they miss mike. Do you play bass? Was he an influence? I know it might sound like im being a jerk but I’m trying to UNDERSTAND how mike leaving VH has made such a negative impact in your life. Please explain. Because personally,it’s getting like a knitting circle around here, and I’d like to know if I should hit the five and dime on the way home to get some thread….
Tony

Duck:

I honestly was about ready to let the subject die. I’m sick of griping about it and yes, I know I’ve been beating the dead horse into the ground on like… every single comment I’ve posted. In case you haven’t noticed, all they’ve seem to be posting are old recordings and concert footage and all that seems to do is re-hash the same debate.

“NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MY LIFE”? — Hardly, NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MY FAVORITE BAND? — Definitely. Mike was always high-energy, not just his playing but his stage presence. His singing rounded off the vocal sound for Little Dreamer, Women in Love, Panama, Summer Nights and just about every other fucking on the list. His Bass solos were insane… also, I don’t know if you heard him play & sing lead in “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” — It was amazing. I do have an issue with him being there on every album since 1978 and then being kicked to the curb in the most dickish move ever.

Do I play bass? Hell no. I played the drums in highschool (poorly). My brother also played guitar — we’d jam out to the Diver Down tape trying to be like Ed & Al. LMAO.

How’s that for “knitting circle” talk. Now go get that thread.

And I SWEAR that’s the last time I’ll bring up the Michael Anthony issue. Which BTW, is why the original dude that ran this site sold it… cause he was sick of hearing all the bitching and whining on the subject.
Tony

Oh yeah, and Wolfie — in case you didn’t actually read my first post, I wasn’t bashing him — just saying the kid needs to get some more exposure to earn some respect.
Jim

Wolfie the next EVH.

Why not?
Word is he is more comfortable and shoud hold his own, be more comfortable, and have a stage presence. He can play all the instruments. He’s got a unique bass playing method. He’s close to EVH. I’m sure he has learned about everything there is to learn from one of the best musicians ever. It’s in the genes – He’s now at least third generation musician.
PR around Wolfie will certainly be better than Ed.
http://none Dirty Duck

Tony:

I know my post sounded like I was giving you shit but I really was intrested in your side. I hear it a lot around here but no one ever goes into detail why. Do I like mike? Absolutley. I love the whole orginal line-up. I dont think their will ever be another rck group like VH…ever.
Thats why we all fight..bitch…moan…b.s….argue…etc cause VH rocks!

Thanks for the insight and your views brother!
Tony

Duck — it’s all good, man. I admittedly was really caught up in the whole (CENSORED) ‘NAME-I-SHALL-NOT-MENTION’ thing. I really have to let it go and move on.

& dude, we may disagree about certain issues, but I have to say AMEN on there never being a group like VH ever!

Likewise, Thanks for your outspoken views.

-PEACE-
http://none Dirty Duck

Tony:

My quack is bigger than my bite
Jay

Love that sound!
Dave

This is from the 1rst tour. Ed was probably recording ideas. you can hear Roth lost the room key again.